Coral Gables Firm To Import Condoms

August 15, 1987|By DAVID ALTANER, Business Writer

In the wake of reports there is a condom shortage in South Florida, a small Coral Gables company says it has won approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration to begin importing condoms from Spain.

Eurocapital Corp. is negotiating with a distributor who would sell the condoms under a private label, company Vice President Luis Lamar said on Friday.

``There`s a shortage of condoms on the market right now, and most sales have been under brand names,`` Lamar said.

The market has strengthened because condoms are being promoted not only for birth control but as devices to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

The company expects its private-label products, sold without spermicide, would be less expensive than brand-name condoms, Lamar said.

Eurocapital has also submitted applications for condoms with spermicides. All products would be manufactured by Laboratorios Inkey, S.A. in Barcelona, Spain.

Palm Beach County Health Department officials earlier this month complained of a shortage in condoms distributed as part of its AIDS-prevention program. Officials borrowed condoms from Planned Parenthood and have said they are afraid they might be forced to buy them retail from drugstore chains.

Eurocapital is also involved in real estate development and trading of treasury securities, Lamar said. The importing would be done by its Europharmaceutical Co. subsidiary.

Jose Camprubi, president of the firm, bought control of the company in October in order to change its direction, Lamar said. It was formerly called Solar Systems by Sundance and based in Hialeah.